Michael Sampson was arrested in July 2012 in connection with the death of Hector Zabala.
Michael Sampson, 42 (Bergen County Sheriff's Office) HACKENSACK -- The trial of a Garfield man charged in the death of 33-year-old Hector Zabala began Monday.
Miles Feinstein, the attorney for defendant Michael Sampson, and Acting Bergen County Senior Assistant Prosecutor Danielle Grootenboer held pre-trial discussions with Judge Margaret Foti for about an hour Monday.
Sampson was arrested in July 2012 in Cliffside Park in connection with Zabala's death. He was shot following an alleged argument outside a bar on Anderson Avenue in Cliffside Park.
1 dead in Cliffside Park shooting
Zabala was shot multiple times, authorities said at the time. Sampsons then-girlfriend, Jacquelin Pierro, was also arrested and charged with child endangerment and hindering law enforcement for putting their four-month-old child in Sampson's care while they allegedly fled law enforcement.
Sampson has been held in Bergen County Jail on $3 million bail since his arrest. Neither Sampson nor Pierro appeared in court Monday.
The attorneys are set to discuss motions Tuesday. Foti expects to begin jury selection next week.
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